Short answer: After breast cancer, the heart needs care too. Some breast cancer medicines can weaken the heart muscle. With two of them together, heart failure was 7 times more common. The good news: a physician supervised exercise intervention makes the heart pump stronger. Then you can build endurance, one step at a time.
The short version
- With two breast cancer medicines together, heart failure was 7 times more common.
- In one group of 433 women, almost half got heart failure over about 19 years.
- Most patients, and even most doctors, do not know about cardiac rehab.
- 100 hours of physician supervised exercise intervention: 3 sessions a week, 90 minutes each.
- Your heart pumps stronger, your muscles take in more oxygen, and you tire less.
What can breast cancer medicines do to the heart?
Some breast cancer medicines save lives, but they can weaken the heart muscle. In a study of 12,500 women, heart failure was 7 times more common when two of these medicines were used together. Heart failure means the heart cannot pump as much blood as your body needs. You may get out of breath or tired more easily than before.
How common are heart problems after breast cancer?
In one group of 433 women, almost half got heart failure over about 19 years. The damage can stay silent for years, so you may feel fine for a long time. In women over 66, heart disease kills as many as breast cancer does. So after the cancer, the heart is the next thing to look after.
Why does nobody talk about it?
Many survivors say no one explained the heart risk to them. The cancer team is busy fighting the cancer, which is the right first job. Most patients, and even most doctors, do not know about cardiac rehab. Dr Muralidar Babi sees this in his clinic in Hyderabad.
How do you rebuild heart strength after breast cancer?
Start the right way: 100 hours of physician supervised exercise intervention. We provide a custom tailored, graded exercise program, 3 sessions a week, 90 minutes each. The physician checks your heart first and sets the effort for you. Each week, the effort goes up a little as you get stronger.
Your heart pumps stronger and your muscles take in more oxygen. In the CORE trial of cancer survivors, cardiac rehab raised oxygen use more than gym exercise did. Quality of life rose 14 points. In daily life, that means you tire less, feel happier, and can even run and play again.
How do you build endurance after cancer?
Once your physician says you are ready, keep moving every week. Start with walking, then mix in short, easy runs. Go slow enough to talk while you move. Building endurance is not about speed: it is about coming back next week. Telangana Runners runs in Hyderabad welcome walkers too.
Your questions, answered
Can I run after breast cancer treatment?
Many survivors can, step by step. First get your heart checked, because some breast cancer medicines can weaken the heart muscle. A physician supervised exercise intervention is the safe way to start. Once your heart is stronger, you can build endurance with walks and easy runs. Many go on to run and play again.
Why do I feel so tired after cancer treatment?
Cancer treatment can weaken the heart, the blood vessels and the muscles. Weaker muscles take in less oxygen, so everyday jobs feel harder. Graded exercise works on all of these. Your heart pumps stronger and your muscles take in more oxygen, so you tire less as the weeks go by.
How long is the cardiac rehab program?
At the Cardiac Rehab centre in Hyderabad, it is 100 hours of physician supervised exercise intervention. That is 3 sessions a week, 90 minutes each. The program is custom tailored and graded, so it starts at your level. The effort goes up as you grow stronger.
Do I need to be fit to join Telangana Runners?
No. You do not need to be fast or fit to start. Many people begin by walking, and that is fine. Come to a run in Hyderabad, go at your own pace, and come back next week. If you have had cancer treatment, ask your physician before you start.
Build Your Endurance Now
You beat cancer. Now build your endurance, one step at a time. Walk and run with Telangana Runners. Find the next run at www.TelanganaRunners.com. Want the physician supervised way to start? Read Heart failure after breast cancer: can cardiac rehab help? on CardiacRehab.com.
References
- Bowles EJ, et al. Risk of heart failure in breast cancer patients after anthracycline and trastuzumab treatment: a retrospective cohort study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22949432
- Hubbert L, et al. Long-term and real-life incidence of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity in patients with breast cancer: a Swedish cohort study. Front Oncol. 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37152049
- Patnaik JL, et al. Cardiovascular disease competes with breast cancer as the leading cause of death for older females diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res. 2011. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21689398
- Marrison ST, et al. Perception and counseling for cardiac health in breast cancer survivors using the Health Belief Model: qualitative analysis. JMIR Cancer. 2025. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40609074
- Viamonte SG, et al. Cardio-oncology rehabilitation for cancer survivors with high cardiovascular risk: a randomized clinical trial (CORE). JAMA Cardiol. 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37819656